EasyDoesIt's Build - 2018 Power Wagon "White Rhino"

[Reloaderguy]

That's the first set of frame mounted sliders that I think look good. Well done!

[Colibri]

Those came out really slick! Good job sir!

[EasyDoesIt]

Thanks guys. I'm not sure I'd do it again but I do like the way they turned out and the fact they are unique doesn't hurt. Time to put them through their paces.

I've officially ordered Thuren 1.5" lift front springs, rear track bar, and Dethloff skid (Thanks Marcus).

Stayed tuned for install details

[EasyDoesIt]

Installed the Thuren Rear Trackbar this afternoon, pretty straight forward after you understand how all the brackets fit in.

The first test to see if the trackbar was worth the money is on my trip to the airport in the morning, I usually get an intermittent rear shimmy at highway speeds.

Should get the front springs installed in March.

[DamageWagon]

Sweet man!!

FYI When you do the front springs don’t forget to disconnect the locker plug on the axle.

[EasyDoesIt]

Sweet man!!

FYI When you do the front springs don’t forget to disconnect the locker plug on the axle.

Thanks Marcus. The truck seems to behave better at high speeds.

Good call on the locker plug.

[EasyDoesIt]

I installed the front Thuren springs a few weeks back and the difference in high speed offroad is night and day. I can only imagine how much better it would be with some 2.5s. Maybe someday.

The skid plate arrived a couple days ago and I'll get it mounted in the next few days. The quality of the skid, hardware, packaging and instructions are top notch! I appreciate the instructions list the tools needed and are printed on a heavier paper. Nice work Marcus.

A couple pics from a camping/offroad trip to Whitney Pockets Nevada

The Cistern
https://goo.gl/maps/Lbq5C5HSScA2

Devils Throat
https://goo.gl/maps/mLHEZZGzFX62

Little Finland
https://goo.gl/maps/93DBNfLtEV62

The attachment IMG_20190322_215845.jpg is no longer available

[DamageWagon]

Awesome dude I’m glad you like the skid plate, I appreciate the feedback!

[richxd87]

Progress was slow but we did finish the bulk of the project. Will finish the 1-3/4" tube step in the next couple months.

Going to paint them with some black heavy equipment paint and get them mounted for pre-moab testing.

0219181111.jpg


Milling the 1/2" holes in the 2"x1/2" frame plates

0217181329_HDR.jpg

Thanks for sharing! Any particular tips/tricks on the mounting plates and legs or is it all pretty straight forward?

Richard

[EasyDoesIt]

Thanks for sharing! Any particular tips/tricks on the mounting plates and legs or is it all pretty straight forward?
Richard

Its not really straight forward and If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't, I'd just get the white knuckles. Its a challenge but its rewarding to have the exact sliders you want. Plan for it to take a full two days with the help of a friend and the right tools (welder, band saw, bender, grinder, impact, etc etc). The only thing I'd do differently would be to make the support bars an inch longer.

Measure 3 times, cut or bend once.

If you need any detailed pics/measurements, drop me a PM with your number and I can text ya anything you need.

Steve

[TommyDuncan]

Build looks great!
I have some catching up to do...

Took mine on it's first real offroad trip yesterday. It did great!

We'll definitely have to hit some trails soon. I need to finish up a volunteer project in the Mojave Preserve soon. We plan to camp and then wheel if you are interested?
We haven't set a date yet but soon.

[EasyDoesIt]

Build looks great!
I have some catching up to do...

Took mine on it's first real offroad trip yesterday. It did great!

We'll definitely have to hit some trails soon. I need to finish up a volunteer project in the Mojave Preserve soon. We plan to camp and then wheel if you are interested?
We haven't set a date yet but soon.

I'll definitely hit you up the next time we plan a trail run.

Let me know when you go camping.

Great looking rigs.

[EasyDoesIt]

My buddy started a new YouTube channel for our off-road trips. 1st video is up. Hope to get at least one solid video uploaded each month.

Barracks Trail, Coral Pink/Zion National Park Utah.

https://youtu.be/pMAqxTO5He0

[TommyDuncan]

I definitely want to check out that area! I've passed through there a lot but never offroad.

[EasyDoesIt]

Decided I wanted to improve the brakes so I upgraded to Power Stop Z36s Pads. There's definitely a difference but its not as big as I had hoped. Still worth the $120 and 2 hour install.

Also installed the Dethloff Mfg engine/trans skid plate about a month ago. Top quality stuff that @DamageWagon is making.

[DamageWagon]

The Z36 pads are a nice modest improvement over stock brakes. I find they like a little bit of heat, once you get them a bit warm they grab well.

Glad you’re liking the skid plate, thank you man!

[EasyDoesIt]

This happened...

[EasyDoesIt]

Well I've gone and done it, I put a deposit down on 5.13s. I got sick of talking about it!

Yukons in the front and AAMs in the rear.

[EasyDoesIt]

I picked up my truck yesterday, 5.13s installed and currently going through break in. I've noticed my shifts are a bit quicker and take off is definitely faster, even though I cant mash the skinny pedal yet. I used the AEV Procal to change the gears to 4.88 since they dont list 5.13. Although I've heard this does nothing, I figured it couldnt hurt.

No funny noises from either diff and I was able to get both lockers to engage.

Rough Highway RPMs:
Stock - 4.10s w/33" Duratracs - 65MPH = 1800RPMs, 75MPH = 2000RPMs

Stock - 4.10s w/37" Coopers - 65MPH = 1500RPMs, 75MPH = 1900RPMs

5.13s w/37" Coopers - 65MPH = 1900ish RPMS, 75MPH = 2100RPMS

I cant wait until I get 500+ miles on so I can find a Raptor to race

[RustyPW]

[Oilbrnr]

Does AAM not offer a 5.13 gearset for the front?

[EasyDoesIt]

Does AAM not offer a 5.13 gearset for the front?

They do. I chose to go with Yukon.

[1pieceatatime]

...I used the AEV Procal to change the gears to 4.88 since they dont list 5.13. Although I've heard this does nothing, I figured it couldnt hurt.

I remember reading on their forum at some point that the 5.13 switch position listed for their Jeep Procal also works with the Ram Procal, it was just an oversight when they printed the instructions. May be worth playing around on their website to find the referenced Jeep instruction.

[EasyDoesIt]

...I used the AEV Procal to change the gears to 4.88 since they dont list 5.13. Although I've heard this does nothing, I figured it couldnt hurt.

I remember reading on their forum at some point that the 5.13 switch position listed for their Jeep Procal also works with the Ram Procal, it was just an oversight when they printed the instructions. May be worth playing around on their website to find the referenced Jeep instruction.

You da man!

https://forum.aev-conversions.com/forum ... -for-5-13s

Thanks, I'll get this changed tonight.

[TommyDuncan]

...I used the AEV Procal to change the gears to 4.88 since they dont list 5.13. Although I've heard this does nothing, I figured it couldnt hurt.

I remember reading on their forum at some point that the 5.13 switch position listed for their Jeep Procal also works with the Ram Procal, it was just an oversight when they printed the instructions. May be worth playing around on their website to find the referenced Jeep instruction.

I was going to suggest fudging tire size to make up for the gearing difference but this sounds better!

Who did your gears? It's on my short list and my best friend will do it for me... but I've seen his shop rate so I'm thinking about paying someone rather than taking up hours he could be billing someone else. I can at least get all the parts cheap through him.